Keir Starmer to launch mandatory inquiry into grooming gang scandal after long-standing resistance to mounting pressure for a full national inquiry.
The British Prime Minister said he had carefully studied “every word” of the independent report into child sexual exploitation by Baroness Louise Casey and agreed with its recommendations for the investigation.
Earlier this year, the government rejected calls for a public inquiry, saying its focus was on implementing previous recommendations made by Professor Alexis Jay's seven-year national inquiry.
Professor Jay's 2022 report concluded there were systemic failings across the country and tens of thousands of victims in England and Wales.
However, speaking to reporters during his visit to Canada, the prime minister said: “From the very beginning, I have always maintained that we must implement the recommendations that have been made because we have many other recommendations… I think there are about 200 of them if you take into account all the reviews that have been done at all levels, and we must start implementing them.
“I never said we shouldn't review any issue. I wanted to be sure of that on any investigation. So I asked Louise Casey, who I respect very much, to do the audit.
“When she started the audit, she concluded that there was no real need for a national investigation beyond what was actually happening.
“She reviewed the evidence presented and concluded that a national investigation was needed based on what she saw.
“I have read every word of her report and intend to accept her recommendations. It is the right decision based on what she presented in her audit.
“I asked her to do this work to double-check it; she did this task for me, and after reading her report, I respect her anyway. Now I am going to follow her recommendations.”
Asked when the investigation would begin, he said it would be conducted under the Investigations Act, would take “some time to complete” and would be carried out “in an orderly manner”.
This means that the investigation will be able to call witnesses to testify.
The investigation is expected to be nationwide and involve a number of targeted local investigations.
The national scandal over grooming gangs erupted in January when tech billionaire Elon Musk used his social media platform X to launch an attack on Starmer and women's rights minister Jess Phillips.
It comes after the government's decision to reject Oldham Borough Council's request for a Whitehall-led inquiry into child sex abuse in the borough.
The government later commissioned Lady Casey to carry out a “rapid audit” of the nature and extent of gang child sexual abuse, which was due to take three months but was postponed.
Conservative leader Cami Badenoch, who has repeatedly criticised him for resisting a new national inquiry, said the prime minister had been “led by the nose to make the right decision”.
“Keir Starmer doesn't know what he thinks until the official report tells him,” she said.
“Just as he brushed off concerns about winter fuel payments and then had to turn around 180 degrees, just as he needed the Supreme Court to explain what a woman is, he had to be led by the nose to make the right decision here.
“I have repeatedly called for a full national inquiry since January. It is time for him to admit his mistake and apologise for the six months he has lost.
“But this should not be the end of the matter. There are still many questions that need to be answered to ensure a proper and speedy investigation.
“Many grooming gang survivors will be glad this is finally happening, but they need a solution soon, not years from now. Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Reform UK leader and Clacton MP Nigel Farage said the move was a “welcome turnaround” and would “expose the many
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
